Green Glass

The long journey through the Pacific Northwest is over and we had a great time seeing new sights and making new friends. But it's always good to be back at the "old" homestead. I found these beautiful glass balls at my brother's. My sister-in-law has quite a collection, all sorted by color. The morning light shining through them made for an interesting shot.

"Green Glass" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Mt. Shasta

We're back in California and were welcomed by this spectacular sight of Mt. Shasta in Northern California. There's not much snow on this dormant volcano as it's been hot and dry. At nearly 14,200 feet, this mountain is just a little shorter than Mt. Whitney (also in California) which is the highest peak in the continental U.S. at 14, 494 feet. As we drove by Shasta Lake, we were shocked at how low the level of the lake is. We're in a drought here in California and it certainly showed today.

"Mt. Shasta" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Artistry

It was a corker in Portland today. 106. And we thought we were getting away from the heat. We spend the morning trying to cool off at the Japanese Garden where it was shady. Nearby was the rose garden that Portland is so famous for. But they didn't like this heat. I did find a few and this hybrid tea rose named "Artisrty" was doing just fine.

"Artistry" © Kathy Dunham 2009

99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall

My friend Joanne and I have made it to Portland, Oregon and are visiting with her son Mike, wife Ilene and son Josh. We're having a great time and tonight we had dinner at Descheutes Brewery in Downtown Portland. These beer bottles were lined up as part of the decoration. They look like a cross between a mug and a bottle. Either way, it would be too much for me to drink. After dinner, we were treated to a piano concert by 7 year old Josh. He played Elton John's "Don't go Breaking my Heart" and other selections. And did a great job.

"99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Japanese Tea Garden

Spokane's beautiful Japanese Tea Garden is small but wonderfully landscaped. I loved the reflections of the Japanese maple tree in the koi pond.

"Japanese Tea Garden" © Kathy Dunham 2009

A Redneck's Dream

I spotted this boat tied up to the dock at Priest Lake the other day. It made all of us laugh. Thank goodness the bullets aren't real.

"A Redneck's Dream" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Flowers in the Forest

I've been out of internet range for the past couple of days but I'm back in the civilized world and can finally catch up on my postings. I've been at Hayden Lake in North western Idaho. It's beautiful. Tall trees and lots of lakes in this area. Thursday we drove up to Priest Lake and spent time savoring the forest. I found these delicate white flowers on the forest floor. There are lots of treasures down low if you look.

"Flowers in the Forest" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Crossing the Columbia

This is my first view of the Columbia River crossing from Oregon to Washington. It was a spectacular sight, especially since I noticed a small boat in the bottom right foreground afterwards. I don't know how close he was to the dam but I wouldn't want to be there.

"Crossing the Columbia" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Tufa Towers

These strange spires and knobs were formed when fresh water springs containing calcium bubbled up through the carbonate rich water of Mono Lake. Located in the Eastern Sierras of California, Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes in North America (at least 760,000 years) has no outlet. As a result, after thousands of years of mineral rich streams feeding into it, the mineral content has risen to almost 10 percent. Due to the high alkaline content, fish can not live in these waters. But it's loaded with millions of brine shrimp.

"Tufa Towers" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Manzanar Cemetery

I started a road trip today to the Pacific Northwest. My friend Joanne joined me and we decided to make it an adventure and see things we've never seen before. We decided to drive up Hwy 395 and see what there is. Just north of Lone Pine is the Manzanar National Historical Site. Run by the National Park Service, this former internment camp for Americans of Japanese descent is an awesome and emotional site. 10,000 Japanese were kept here for several years until the war ended. The conditions were brutal, cold winters and hot summers in thin walled barracks were not pleasant. This is what remains of the cemetery. Mt. Whitney is in the background on the left. A definite memorial to how cruel we can be to our fellow citizens.

"Manzanar Cemetery" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Reflections in the Window

I was at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles teaching a class titled, "Sketching in the Garden". They have a beautiful garden set in a bowl, with a waterfall cascading into a pool that has as it's focal point a maze created from azalea bushes. In the spring, the maze is alive with reds, pinks and white flowers. But this time of year the flowers in the raised area surrounding it are wild with colors. But I was taken by this reflection of the buildings and surrounding umbrellas on the main level. If you have the time, it's a spectacular building with marvelous views.

"Reflections in the Window" © Kathy Dunham 2009

After the Rain

Rain drops nestle on the hairs of an unopened poppy. Luckily it only rained at night while we were in Giverny to tour the garden and spend some time painting Monet's floralscapes.

"After the Rain" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Sunny Delight

I love sunflowers. They always have a sunny disposition and make me smile. An as an artist, only one person comes to mind when I see them.... Van Gogh.

"Sunny Delight" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Eymet Windowsill

Walking the back alleys in a Medieval town offers many treasures. I spotted this array of plants the first day we walked around Eymet, France. But it was a rainy day and the colors were dark and drab. The last day we were in town the sun was out and I had to walk through several alleys until I found the "windowsill".

"Eymet Windowsill" © Kathy Dunham 2009

The Fruit Stand

While wandering back and side streets in Bordeaux we came upon several ethnic neighborhoods. But fruit stands look the same no matter where you are. Apples, oranges and pears.

"The Fruit Stand" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Late Afternoon Ride

Canyon de Chelly is a special place to spend time and enjoy it's beauty. A small and quiet canyon on Navajo land in northeastern Arizona, the abrupt vertical rise of the canyon walls appears even larger when compared to the horses and riders.

"Late Afternoon Ride" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Complementary Colors

Mother Nature sure knows her color theory. Putting complementary* colors next to each other makes the biggest bang you can have. And these birds of paradise make a wild statement.

*complementary colors - those colors which are opposite each other on the color wheel, e.g., red & green, blue & orange, yellow and violet.

"Complementary Colors" © Kathy Dunham 2009

La Poste

The corner mailbox in France. This charming scene in Giverny was just down the street from Monet's house.

"La Poste" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Catedral de la Virgen de Guadalupe

If you're ever been to Puerla Vallarta you'll recognize this steeple. It toppled in an earthquake in the '90s and was restored with this steel structure. They say the virgin gave her crown to save the people of Puerta Vallarta, as no one died in the quake.

"Catedral de la Virgen de Guadalupe" © Kathy Dunham 2009

White Feathers

We have a small zoo and botanical garden here in the desert that is created in a natural environment for the animals and plants. It's called The Living Desert and is a must see for visitors. This beautiful bird is just one of the many treats on display.

"White Feathers" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Knockers of Bordeaux

While in France this year, I decided to take photos of door knobs and knockers. Well, there were a lot more styles and designs than I was prepared for. But it was fun and gave me a challenge to see how many different ones I could find.

"Knockers of Bordeaux" © Kathy Dunham 2009

At the Truffier's

Truffles are a fungus that grow around the roots of several different species of trees in very few areas of the world. That's why they're called "Black Gold". Per ounce, they are one of the most expensive items you can buy. Locating them can be a challenge. In years past pigs were used, but they liked to eat them so it was always a race to get them once located before they were eaten. Now they have trained dogs to do the work. The advantage.... they don't like them. When we were in France last year we were able to tour a truffle farm and learn how it's done. These jars of truffles were in the little shop at the truffier's house.

"At the Truffier's" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Tulip Frills

It was the season of blue and purple flowers in Monet's Garden but I found a few of these vibrant orange and yellow tulips that stood out in brilliant contrast.

"Tulip Frills" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Skagway Junk

Being an old mining town, Skagway, Alaska retains a lot of it's historic character. It was the starting point during the gold rush to the Yukon Trail. Miners were required by the Canadian government to bring 2,000 lbs. of supplies over White Pass before they would permit them to cross the border. That's one ton to be carried by sled, man or any other method. It was a narrow trail and took the would-be-miners many trips to get all their gear to the top. I'm sure glad they had a train for me to take to the summit.

"Skagway Junk" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Summer Glow

The garden at the Getty Center museum is aglow with color. Angels trumpets, dahlias and roses are blooming like crazy. Sunday was a spectacular in L.A. (days like this with clear skies are a real treat). I taught a class in Nature Journaling at the museum in the afternoon and all my students were awesome. I'm always thrilled when I see the joy sketching brings. If you're in L.A. July 19th or August 2nd, I'll be teaching there again. Classes and the museum are free. Register at the information desk by 3 p.m. for a 3:30 - 5:30 class.

"Summer Glow" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Flower in the Sky

I had so much fun trying to photograph the fireworks that I just had to post two images tonight. This one reminded me of a lovely blue flower.

"Flower in the Sky" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Happy 4th

It wouldn't be the 4th of July without fireworks and I wasn't disappointed tonight.

"Happy 4th" © Kathy Dunham 2009

New Orleans Ironwork

Ornate ironwork abounds in the French Quarter section of New Orleans. Everywhere you turn there's beautiful balconies and railings. But oh how I love those beignets at Cafe du Monde. Yum!!!

"New Orleans Ironwork" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Lightly Lavender

The conservatory at Balboa Park in San Diego holds many beautiful plants, but it was a treat to find this cattelaya orchid in the sun.

"Lightly Lavender" © Kathy Dunham 2009

Evening Rays

One good sunset deserves another. We do get some super sunsets here in the desert.

"Evening Rays" © Kathy Dunham 2009